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Was bleibt, wenn du gehst
An der Uni waren sie unzertrennlich, doch das ist lange her. Viele Jahre später erreicht Andrew, Lilah, Natalie und Dan eine überraschende Einladung. Jen, die Fünfte im Bund, lädt sie in ihr Haus nach Südfrankreich ein. Das Haus, in dem sie alle einen goldenen Sommer verbrachten - bevor die Tragödie sie auseinanderriss. Der Schnee fällt immer dichter. Abgeschnitten von der Außenwelt müssen die fünf sich lange vergrabenen Gefühlen stellen: Schuld, Trauer, unerwiderte Liebe, zerbrochene Freundschaft. Nur nach und nach kommt ans Licht, was damals wirklich geschah.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
4 people are currently reading
585 people want to read
About the author
Amy Silver
8 books84 followersAmy Silver is the pen name of Paula Hawkins, a writer and freelance journalist who has written on everything from the diamond trade to DIY dog grooming. She lives in London and has a penchant for vintage clothes and champagne cocktails, but she always pays her credit card bills on time.
Paula Hawkins has just published the new suspense sensation "The Girl on the Train" under her own name.
Paula Hawkins has just published the new suspense sensation "The Girl on the Train" under her own name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 30, 2015
This story reminded me of the movie The Big Chill...which I loved...only I think this is a bit more complex in the relationships and history behind each of its characters.
The theme is very similar, though rather than meeting up for a wake, this story revolves around a group of friends reuniting at an old, previously very loved but now badly neglected country manor in France, where they had all spent a summer together seventeen years previously.
During that summer stay a tragic event befell them and caused them all to drift apart...until now.
They have all been invited back, but what is really the agenda?
There are some surprises and curve balls to keep the reader fascinated in the outcome.
I listened to this copy on audio and enjoyed the narration very much, though concentration is a must because of the complexities of this story.
January 31, 2019
An der Uni waren Andrew, Conor, Lilah, Natalie, Dan und Jen die besten Freunde. Sie verbrachten eine schöne Zeit in Südfrankreich im Haus von Jens Eltern. Nun - fast 20 Jahre später - lädt Jen die alten Freunde wieder ein, denn das alte Haus soll bald verkauft werden. Jahrelang bestand kein Kontakt mehr zwischen den früheren Freunden. Das Wiedersehen ist aufwühlend - lange vergrabene Gefühle kommen wieder an die Oberfläche...
Mein Leseeindruck:
Mir hat das Buch recht gut gefallen. Der Aufbau ist gut gelungen. Die Geschichte spielt sowohl in der Gegenwart als auch in der Vergangenheit, denn die Ereignisse in der Vergangenheit haben das weitere Leben der Freunde sehr geprägt. Nach und nach erst erfährt der Leser, was damals tatsächlich geschehen ist. Einiges konnte mich überraschen.
Und obwohl ich die Handlung mochte, hat die Geschichte mich trotzdem nicht gänzlich packen können. Es ist für mich ein schönes Buch, aber die Emotionen, die es eigentlich bei mir hätte auslösen können anhand des Themas, blieben eher oberflächlich.
Mein Leseeindruck:
Mir hat das Buch recht gut gefallen. Der Aufbau ist gut gelungen. Die Geschichte spielt sowohl in der Gegenwart als auch in der Vergangenheit, denn die Ereignisse in der Vergangenheit haben das weitere Leben der Freunde sehr geprägt. Nach und nach erst erfährt der Leser, was damals tatsächlich geschehen ist. Einiges konnte mich überraschen.
Und obwohl ich die Handlung mochte, hat die Geschichte mich trotzdem nicht gänzlich packen können. Es ist für mich ein schönes Buch, aber die Emotionen, die es eigentlich bei mir hätte auslösen können anhand des Themas, blieben eher oberflächlich.
September 17, 2013
Thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for the copy of this novel.
Jen, Andrew, Lilah, Natalie and Dan were inseparable at university, but in the seventeen years since they left they have hardly seen each other. Until Jen invites them all to stay at her house in the French Alps. The house where they once spent a golden summer before tragedy tore them apart.
This is the second book I have recently completed that made me cry. Floods of tears in fact. Again, a story of family - this time a family of friends - reminded me of a quote I love. "Friends are the Family we choose for ourselves". For me, truer words were never spoken..
The Reunion follows the story of such a family - formed during their years at University it seems as if this is a unit that will always be together, supporting, loving, responsible for each other far beyond the peripheral boundaries of friendship and yet, when tragedy strikes they are torn asunder. Sometime following the event, they gather once more in France and when age old resentments and deeply held secret emotions begin to emerge it appears as if some things may be irretrievable.
Written from several viewpoints, and set in multiple timelines, this was an exceptional read as far as flow, characterisation and sheer storytelling goes...I could barely put it down, determined to find out what the outcome was going to be for all of this group of friends, from the haunted Jen, the dogged Andrew, to the never happy Dan, the seemingly steady Nat and the audacious Lilah..every one of them held me in their thrall throughout. The shifting boundaries of their relationships, the ebb and flow of their emotions and the constant need they all have to "fix" everything was both fascinating and kind of like watching a car crash in slow motion - you KNOW they are often heading for disaster and yet you can't look away.
Whether or not this is ultimately a tale of Redemption you will have to read to find out. And I strongly suggest you do. Evocative, emotional, brilliant stuff. More please.
Happy Reading Folks!
Jen, Andrew, Lilah, Natalie and Dan were inseparable at university, but in the seventeen years since they left they have hardly seen each other. Until Jen invites them all to stay at her house in the French Alps. The house where they once spent a golden summer before tragedy tore them apart.
This is the second book I have recently completed that made me cry. Floods of tears in fact. Again, a story of family - this time a family of friends - reminded me of a quote I love. "Friends are the Family we choose for ourselves". For me, truer words were never spoken..
The Reunion follows the story of such a family - formed during their years at University it seems as if this is a unit that will always be together, supporting, loving, responsible for each other far beyond the peripheral boundaries of friendship and yet, when tragedy strikes they are torn asunder. Sometime following the event, they gather once more in France and when age old resentments and deeply held secret emotions begin to emerge it appears as if some things may be irretrievable.
Written from several viewpoints, and set in multiple timelines, this was an exceptional read as far as flow, characterisation and sheer storytelling goes...I could barely put it down, determined to find out what the outcome was going to be for all of this group of friends, from the haunted Jen, the dogged Andrew, to the never happy Dan, the seemingly steady Nat and the audacious Lilah..every one of them held me in their thrall throughout. The shifting boundaries of their relationships, the ebb and flow of their emotions and the constant need they all have to "fix" everything was both fascinating and kind of like watching a car crash in slow motion - you KNOW they are often heading for disaster and yet you can't look away.
Whether or not this is ultimately a tale of Redemption you will have to read to find out. And I strongly suggest you do. Evocative, emotional, brilliant stuff. More please.
Happy Reading Folks!
November 8, 2013
Amy Silver is one of my favourite authors for women’s fiction and I don’t think that her books get nearly enough attention as they deserve. If you enjoy character driven stories about realistic, and at times difficult, topics then Amy Silver is the author for you – I love unravelling the messy tangle of her characters’ lives! The Reunion is moving and compelling and it makes a nice change of pace from the happy festive reads that you can find in abundance at this time of year whilst still being an ideal read for cosying up with by the fire.
This story of betrayal, friendship and secrets begins with five old friends who haven’t spoken in years being thrown together in a remote cottage in France during a snow storm. Best friends at University until tragedy tore them apart Jen, Dan, Nat, Andrew and Lilah haven’t spoken since that fatal day. With news to share Jen invites them under false pretences to spend a weekend at her home in France that’s haunted by the happy and sad memories of the summers the group shared there. When a snow storm hits, the group are trapped and are forced to confront the past and untangle the messy and complicated relationships they have with one another as well as confront the blame and guilt they feel over the part they played on that life changing day. Amy Silver doesn’t give up all of her secrets at once; everything is slowly revealed in chapters that are set both in the past and present so that we get to thoroughly examine each character and their actions and the revelations that add vital pieces to the puzzle keep on coming until the very end.
Each character is so well developed. They’re all incredibly human with both good and bad traits. By the end of the book I felt like I knew every one of them inside out from what makes them tick to what brings them happiness. Each character had their flaws but I couldn’t help but love all of them because I could always understand where they were coming from and the thought process behind their actions. Each character has a place in the group and holds a piece of the puzzle and I loved seeing how one characters actions would then go on to influence somebody else’s decisions and so on until that heart-breaking final.
The Reunion is such a hard book to review because I don’t want to give away any of its secrets but if you enjoy books that give you plenty to chew over and characters who you can’t stop thinking about once you’ve put the book down then this is the book for you. Amy Silver has delivered an emotional and enthralling read and I’m already looking forward to what she comes out with next.
This story of betrayal, friendship and secrets begins with five old friends who haven’t spoken in years being thrown together in a remote cottage in France during a snow storm. Best friends at University until tragedy tore them apart Jen, Dan, Nat, Andrew and Lilah haven’t spoken since that fatal day. With news to share Jen invites them under false pretences to spend a weekend at her home in France that’s haunted by the happy and sad memories of the summers the group shared there. When a snow storm hits, the group are trapped and are forced to confront the past and untangle the messy and complicated relationships they have with one another as well as confront the blame and guilt they feel over the part they played on that life changing day. Amy Silver doesn’t give up all of her secrets at once; everything is slowly revealed in chapters that are set both in the past and present so that we get to thoroughly examine each character and their actions and the revelations that add vital pieces to the puzzle keep on coming until the very end.
Each character is so well developed. They’re all incredibly human with both good and bad traits. By the end of the book I felt like I knew every one of them inside out from what makes them tick to what brings them happiness. Each character had their flaws but I couldn’t help but love all of them because I could always understand where they were coming from and the thought process behind their actions. Each character has a place in the group and holds a piece of the puzzle and I loved seeing how one characters actions would then go on to influence somebody else’s decisions and so on until that heart-breaking final.
The Reunion is such a hard book to review because I don’t want to give away any of its secrets but if you enjoy books that give you plenty to chew over and characters who you can’t stop thinking about once you’ve put the book down then this is the book for you. Amy Silver has delivered an emotional and enthralling read and I’m already looking forward to what she comes out with next.
February 17, 2014
I don't think I'm going to try to write a full review. There's nothing I can really say to do justice to what all this made me think and feel.
In short, this book tells the story of a once inseparable bunch of friends, who, in a whirlwind of tragedies, insecurities and betrayals, come to find themselves alone. But while the story is technically about these distinct characters, it's really about all of us. How we can't let go, how, despite the things we tell ourselves we do/don't need, most of us are just lying to ourselves, trying to find our way through guilt and regret and hurt.
Which sounds, and could easily have been, excessively melodramatic. But somehow it's not. These things happen. We are torn apart from people we once thought we could never live without. And Silver manages to tell the story of one such group of people. The characters, their choices, and how they cope with those consequences, are laid out simply. Silver lets the reader feel free to judge which characters made the "right" choices, if there is even such a thing. No one is innocent, yet no one is undeserving of compassion. You see things going a certain way and you want to tell the 23-year-old version of the characters (or yourself) to stop and choose differently. But you know they won't. It hurts, because you want them to have the lives they want, but you also know things couldn't have turned out well any other way.
There are characters I sided with and those I didn't, but that's not any reflection on Silver's storytelling; you might very well see things differently. And I say you because you MUST read this book. It is too beautiful a story pass up. This is one of those books that creeps into your heart and your psyche without hardly realizing it. Make plenty of time for self reflection and soul searching, because if this book doesn't make you think back on all the regrets and what ifs of your life, then kudos to you, you're doing a far better job at this whole "life" thing than I am.
It's a melancholy story, as I mentioned, with plenty of guilt and regret and missed chances to go around, but it manages to be hopeful at the same time. Quite simply, it's one of the most beautiful renderings of real life that I've read/seen/heard in a really long time.
I can't articulate well all the things I want to say. Just read it. You won't regret a page.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest, unbiased review .
In short, this book tells the story of a once inseparable bunch of friends, who, in a whirlwind of tragedies, insecurities and betrayals, come to find themselves alone. But while the story is technically about these distinct characters, it's really about all of us. How we can't let go, how, despite the things we tell ourselves we do/don't need, most of us are just lying to ourselves, trying to find our way through guilt and regret and hurt.
Which sounds, and could easily have been, excessively melodramatic. But somehow it's not. These things happen. We are torn apart from people we once thought we could never live without. And Silver manages to tell the story of one such group of people. The characters, their choices, and how they cope with those consequences, are laid out simply. Silver lets the reader feel free to judge which characters made the "right" choices, if there is even such a thing. No one is innocent, yet no one is undeserving of compassion. You see things going a certain way and you want to tell the 23-year-old version of the characters (or yourself) to stop and choose differently. But you know they won't. It hurts, because you want them to have the lives they want, but you also know things couldn't have turned out well any other way.
There are characters I sided with and those I didn't, but that's not any reflection on Silver's storytelling; you might very well see things differently. And I say you because you MUST read this book. It is too beautiful a story pass up. This is one of those books that creeps into your heart and your psyche without hardly realizing it. Make plenty of time for self reflection and soul searching, because if this book doesn't make you think back on all the regrets and what ifs of your life, then kudos to you, you're doing a far better job at this whole "life" thing than I am.
It's a melancholy story, as I mentioned, with plenty of guilt and regret and missed chances to go around, but it manages to be hopeful at the same time. Quite simply, it's one of the most beautiful renderings of real life that I've read/seen/heard in a really long time.
I can't articulate well all the things I want to say. Just read it. You won't regret a page.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest, unbiased review .
October 18, 2013
Having read all previous books by Amy silver this book is a departure from her normal style. I liked many aspects of the book like the reflective emails and letters however I gave up caring about the characters half way through. I found that in general the plot was interesting but somehow I just didn't care as much as I thought I should.
March 10, 2022
2,5
Teil eins finde ich echt gut hat mich ein bisschen an Krimidinner spiele erinnert, weil immer mehr Geheimnisse rauskamen und es auch zwischendurch relativ spannend war. Die Briefe am Ende fand ich sehr gut um einen Einblick in die Gefühle der Charaktere zu bekommen.
Allerdings fand ich Teil 2 sehr langweilig und lang gezogen. Man kannte eigentlich schon fast alles.
Teil 3 fand ich ganz in Ordnung weil es ganz niedlich war aber auch traurig und ich lilah einfach gerne mochte.
Zu den Personen, basically mochte ich alles nicht außer Lilah aber sie mochte ich auch nur manchmal.
Und das Buch war aus der 3. Person geschrieben was ich einfach nicht nice finde.
Teil eins finde ich echt gut hat mich ein bisschen an Krimidinner spiele erinnert, weil immer mehr Geheimnisse rauskamen und es auch zwischendurch relativ spannend war. Die Briefe am Ende fand ich sehr gut um einen Einblick in die Gefühle der Charaktere zu bekommen.
Allerdings fand ich Teil 2 sehr langweilig und lang gezogen. Man kannte eigentlich schon fast alles.
Teil 3 fand ich ganz in Ordnung weil es ganz niedlich war aber auch traurig und ich lilah einfach gerne mochte.
Zu den Personen, basically mochte ich alles nicht außer Lilah aber sie mochte ich auch nur manchmal.
Und das Buch war aus der 3. Person geschrieben was ich einfach nicht nice finde.
September 20, 2021
wow, ich hatte nie damit gerechnet, das Buch so zu mögen. Aber die Charaktere waren einfach genial und haben mich in ihren Bann gezogen. Das Buch handelte von Freunden und Tragödien und wie Tragödien einen auseinander reißen und wieder zusammenbringen können. Die Autorin hat auch nicht versucht das ganze Leben von 6 Personen in ein Buch zu stecken.
July 12, 2020
Ein wundervolles Buch über Freundschaft, Schuld, unerwiderte Liebe, Trauer, das Leben. Es hat mich sehr berührt.
September 11, 2013
Review originally on www.iheart-chicklit.blogspot.com
I have never tried any of Amy's previous books, but according to the lovely Gillian Holmes, women's fiction at Arrow, they are funny, warm stories which will make you fall in love with its characters. However, Amy Silver has now reformed herself as a writer, writing about deeper, more complicated things, she has gone over to the "dark side" and let me tell you, she's brilliant at it!
The Reunion follows the story of six friends, bonded by their time in university, where each and every one of them are different in their own ways. Jen, loving and beautiful girlfriend of Conor, the alpha male of the gang, the bookish aspiring author Natalie and Dan, orphaned since childhood with a big dream, the carefree, free-spirited Lilah and kind and sensible Andrew, Conor's best friend. The cast of characters were very well written, you have the typical university bunch - the sensible one, clever one, gorgeous one, wild one and of course, the lost one.
In The Reunion, I feel that Amy Silver has captured the true essence of friendship, though human relationships are as predictable as the English weather, it is cleverly dealt with and written to its smallest detail. How friendships can heal broken hearts, fill hollow ones and even break the strongest of bonds when betrayed. There are really strong emotions in this book and I recommend tissues, because right after reading this, you would have the strongest urge to call up your closest friends and family and tell them you love them.
I really enjoyed how the plot opened up as I progressed throughout the book, though there are letters and emails, correspondence between the characters, where you'll see things from a more personal point of view and the earlier chapters were really inviting, stringing me along to keep on reading and I did! My curiosity got the better of me and I ploughed on.
A brilliantly written novel about forgiveness and letting go of the past, even when it comes with a heavy price. An incredibly thought-provoking and heartbreaking book which will pull your heartstrings and compel you to cherish your friends and making sacrifices to move on.
Rating: 9/10
I have never tried any of Amy's previous books, but according to the lovely Gillian Holmes, women's fiction at Arrow, they are funny, warm stories which will make you fall in love with its characters. However, Amy Silver has now reformed herself as a writer, writing about deeper, more complicated things, she has gone over to the "dark side" and let me tell you, she's brilliant at it!
The Reunion follows the story of six friends, bonded by their time in university, where each and every one of them are different in their own ways. Jen, loving and beautiful girlfriend of Conor, the alpha male of the gang, the bookish aspiring author Natalie and Dan, orphaned since childhood with a big dream, the carefree, free-spirited Lilah and kind and sensible Andrew, Conor's best friend. The cast of characters were very well written, you have the typical university bunch - the sensible one, clever one, gorgeous one, wild one and of course, the lost one.
In The Reunion, I feel that Amy Silver has captured the true essence of friendship, though human relationships are as predictable as the English weather, it is cleverly dealt with and written to its smallest detail. How friendships can heal broken hearts, fill hollow ones and even break the strongest of bonds when betrayed. There are really strong emotions in this book and I recommend tissues, because right after reading this, you would have the strongest urge to call up your closest friends and family and tell them you love them.
I really enjoyed how the plot opened up as I progressed throughout the book, though there are letters and emails, correspondence between the characters, where you'll see things from a more personal point of view and the earlier chapters were really inviting, stringing me along to keep on reading and I did! My curiosity got the better of me and I ploughed on.
A brilliantly written novel about forgiveness and letting go of the past, even when it comes with a heavy price. An incredibly thought-provoking and heartbreaking book which will pull your heartstrings and compel you to cherish your friends and making sacrifices to move on.
Rating: 9/10
November 30, 2013
Sometimes you pick up a book and from the very first sentence know that you are going to engage with it. This is one of those books. I really loved it. Yes, it's been done before; yes, it probably is quite predictable in parts but it is also very moving and compelling; it totally gripped me and I couldn't put it down.
Jen, Lilah, Natalie, Dan and Andrew were the best of friends at Uni but after events 15 years earlier they grew apart. Now they are back together in Jen's French house in the middle of December and dynamics are not quite what they used to be. Jen is hoping that things can be put right between them all by spending a few days together and chatting about old times but is that ever possible?
The story unravels with flashbacks to the past interspersed with the present day relationships between them all. From the start it is obvious that one person is missing - that person was Jen's boyfriend but it is not until the second day that we learn what happened to Conor. Natalie and Andrew are now married; Lilah is still out to cause trouble, thinking only of herself; Jen drops a bombshell; Dan is a well known film director but all of them are strained and anxious. All thought they knew each other so well back then, back when they were inseparable but as tensions grow and chinks in armour appear it would seem none of them are as innocent as the others thought.
The reunion doesn't end well but six months later we are back with the group for another, sadder reunion. Nat and Andrew seem to be in trouble and there is something still not quite right between Jen and Dan but this time they all pull together for Lilah and as more secrets are laid bare Lilah takes it upon herself to finally put things right.
This just really worked for me. It's not a new concept, old friends meeting up, secrets in the past, but Amy Silver has done this remarkably well. There's no big secret, you can work out what's happened and what's going to happen but it is so well written and the characters so real that none of that matters. You can absolutely imagine this happening and as such can empathise (sometimes!) with the characters. It really is a thoughtful and quite moving read.
Jen, Lilah, Natalie, Dan and Andrew were the best of friends at Uni but after events 15 years earlier they grew apart. Now they are back together in Jen's French house in the middle of December and dynamics are not quite what they used to be. Jen is hoping that things can be put right between them all by spending a few days together and chatting about old times but is that ever possible?
The story unravels with flashbacks to the past interspersed with the present day relationships between them all. From the start it is obvious that one person is missing - that person was Jen's boyfriend but it is not until the second day that we learn what happened to Conor. Natalie and Andrew are now married; Lilah is still out to cause trouble, thinking only of herself; Jen drops a bombshell; Dan is a well known film director but all of them are strained and anxious. All thought they knew each other so well back then, back when they were inseparable but as tensions grow and chinks in armour appear it would seem none of them are as innocent as the others thought.
The reunion doesn't end well but six months later we are back with the group for another, sadder reunion. Nat and Andrew seem to be in trouble and there is something still not quite right between Jen and Dan but this time they all pull together for Lilah and as more secrets are laid bare Lilah takes it upon herself to finally put things right.
This just really worked for me. It's not a new concept, old friends meeting up, secrets in the past, but Amy Silver has done this remarkably well. There's no big secret, you can work out what's happened and what's going to happen but it is so well written and the characters so real that none of that matters. You can absolutely imagine this happening and as such can empathise (sometimes!) with the characters. It really is a thoughtful and quite moving read.
September 15, 2013
I have never read any of Amy Silver's previous novels, however from reading their synopsis and comparing them with The Reunion it seems as though Amy Silver has taken a turn in her writing. Her previous novels seem like more fun light hearted reads while the reunion takes a more mature storyline and deals with emotion, tragedy and friendships changing over the years.
The plot is told through three sections; the reunion of the six friends, the events of the past and then what happens after the reunion. Usually I don't enjoy books that move around between time periods, however with The Reunion I think this meant I understand the characters and the events that occur with much more clarity. I really enjoyed that at the end of most chapters is a letter sent between the friends, which really gave an insight into each characters true feelings. I think this is a unique and interesting way of telling the story. I also enjoyed how each character gets to tell their own story and we see the events that happened from each perspective, showing that there is always more than one side to every story
The Reunion is an emotional read that is deep and dark in certain places. While there is romance none of it is light hearted and there always feels to be something dark lurking with the relationships showing the problems and difficulties within each. Real friendship and the issues that are faced are dealt with extremely well, as many friendships do not last forever and if they do last then they change in many ways.
I would highly recommend The Reunion to anyone looking for a story with great depth and emotion. I had tears in my eyes on more than one occasion and the ending truly broke my heart. The story is thought provoking and beautifully written making me look at my own friendships and cherish life while we still have it.
The plot is told through three sections; the reunion of the six friends, the events of the past and then what happens after the reunion. Usually I don't enjoy books that move around between time periods, however with The Reunion I think this meant I understand the characters and the events that occur with much more clarity. I really enjoyed that at the end of most chapters is a letter sent between the friends, which really gave an insight into each characters true feelings. I think this is a unique and interesting way of telling the story. I also enjoyed how each character gets to tell their own story and we see the events that happened from each perspective, showing that there is always more than one side to every story
The Reunion is an emotional read that is deep and dark in certain places. While there is romance none of it is light hearted and there always feels to be something dark lurking with the relationships showing the problems and difficulties within each. Real friendship and the issues that are faced are dealt with extremely well, as many friendships do not last forever and if they do last then they change in many ways.
I would highly recommend The Reunion to anyone looking for a story with great depth and emotion. I had tears in my eyes on more than one occasion and the ending truly broke my heart. The story is thought provoking and beautifully written making me look at my own friendships and cherish life while we still have it.
July 30, 2015
The synopsis of this sounded great and I was really looking forward to reading it. Jen and her University friends haven’t seen each other for years, and quite a few of them would rather it stayed that way. However, Jen has other ideas and they friend all meet in Jen’s home in the French Alps. It’s clear from early on that things are not going to be plain sailing and it makes for ver easy reading. It was a little bit slow in the beginning but necessary to really get to know all the people and what had happened.
In the earlier stages I was unsure whether the mysterious side of the story would interest me, but as the layers are revealed it all starts to make a bit more sense. The book switches between present and past but there was no problem distinguishing between what has happened. There are numerous characters to keep up with but I had no problem distinguishing between them all. I quite liked Jen as well as Natalie, and although I didn’t dislike others these were the two that stuck out for me.
Overall a really enjoyable book, with some surprises along the way. This is a perfect book for when the winters draw in and you can park yourself in front of a roaring fire and immerse yourself into a great read.
In the earlier stages I was unsure whether the mysterious side of the story would interest me, but as the layers are revealed it all starts to make a bit more sense. The book switches between present and past but there was no problem distinguishing between what has happened. There are numerous characters to keep up with but I had no problem distinguishing between them all. I quite liked Jen as well as Natalie, and although I didn’t dislike others these were the two that stuck out for me.
Overall a really enjoyable book, with some surprises along the way. This is a perfect book for when the winters draw in and you can park yourself in front of a roaring fire and immerse yourself into a great read.
June 6, 2014
I wasn't that wrapped in this book. It was too long and contained way too many issues between these friends which all needed to be wrapped up in a tight little bun before the book could finish. The format was interesting interspersing current text with old letters and emails from the past.
The reader(I had the audio version) didn't help either. She read the book like she was reading a fairy story to a bunch of pre-schoolers at the library.
The reader(I had the audio version) didn't help either. She read the book like she was reading a fairy story to a bunch of pre-schoolers at the library.
August 9, 2016
A well-written study in long-term friendships and the tangled webs they weave. Reminded me of one of my favourite TV shows - This Life (and its ten years later reunion!) If this book was a movie, it would have the best 90's soundtrack!
September 25, 2014
Nicht ganz so toll wie ihr erster Roman "Du und ich und all die Jahre", jedoch dennoch gut und schön genug, um auf meine Favoritenliste zu kommen!
Und Frau Silver hat mich mit ihrem Schreibstil wieder dazu gebracht, ihren ersten Roman zu lesen! :D
Und Frau Silver hat mich mit ihrem Schreibstil wieder dazu gebracht, ihren ersten Roman zu lesen! :D
September 19, 2014
Adored this wonderful book. Could not put it down. The characters, their emotions were beautifully handled. I also loved the structure of the story, the way it was told, the way the back story was revealed to us, via small, tantalizing glimpses. Will definitely be reading more of Amy Silver.
Want to read
January 25, 2015I just read that The Girl on the Train (#%*!ing BRILLIANT) author, Paula Hawkins, wrote under the pseudonym of Amy Silver for some time. Anyone know if THIS Amy Silver title is a Paula Hawkins novel?
February 20, 2016
Eine teilweise recht traurige Geschichte über 6 Freunde, die Vergangenheit, das Schicksal, Taten von Menschen, Beweggründen und Folgen dieser.
Es gab Wendungen und Überraschungen in der Geschichte und es wurde nicht wirklich langweilig.
Auch die Sprecherin hat mir sehr zugesagt.
Es gab Wendungen und Überraschungen in der Geschichte und es wurde nicht wirklich langweilig.
Auch die Sprecherin hat mir sehr zugesagt.
November 3, 2017
Hier geht es um 6 Freunde, die sich nach 20 Jahren wieder treffen.Eigentlich haben sie nichts mehr miteinander zu tun.Die Gruppe wurde nach einer schrecklichen Tragödie auseinander gerissen. Doch Jennifer lädt alle in ihr Haus ein.Nach und nach erfahren wir, was damals wirklich passiert ist.
Das Buch hat einen sehr einfachen,leichten Schreibstil, mit dem man sehr gut klar kommt.Die Perspektive wird sowohl zwischen den Protagonisten als auch zwischen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart oft gewechselt.Dies ist aber nicht verwirrend, da über den Passagen das jeweilige Datum steht.Die Charaktere,ihre Schicksale und Entscheidungen sind realistisch und meiner Meinung nach nicht übertrieben oder nicht nachvollziehbar.Man kann sich gut mit ihnen identifizieren,je mehr man über sie erfährt.Gegen Ende gibt es eine spannende,traurige und eher unerwartete Wendung, die einen sehr zum Nachdenken anregt.
Auch wenn mich die Geschichte nicht komplett packen konnte, ist sie trotzdem sehr schön und liefert eine tiefe Message über das Leben 💕
Das Buch hat einen sehr einfachen,leichten Schreibstil, mit dem man sehr gut klar kommt.Die Perspektive wird sowohl zwischen den Protagonisten als auch zwischen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart oft gewechselt.Dies ist aber nicht verwirrend, da über den Passagen das jeweilige Datum steht.Die Charaktere,ihre Schicksale und Entscheidungen sind realistisch und meiner Meinung nach nicht übertrieben oder nicht nachvollziehbar.Man kann sich gut mit ihnen identifizieren,je mehr man über sie erfährt.Gegen Ende gibt es eine spannende,traurige und eher unerwartete Wendung, die einen sehr zum Nachdenken anregt.
Auch wenn mich die Geschichte nicht komplett packen konnte, ist sie trotzdem sehr schön und liefert eine tiefe Message über das Leben 💕
December 29, 2021
okay, also letztes Jahr habe ich "all I want for christmas" von Amy Silver gelesen und habe es sehr geliebt. Also habe ich mir (wegen des winterlichen Covers) diesen Roman von ihr für die diesjährige Adventszeit ausgesucht. Tja leider musste ich dann feststellen, dass dies keines Falls ein Weihnachtsbuch ist. Jedenfalls keines mit weihnachtlicher Stimmung und allem drum und dran. Es ist eine Geschichte über sechs Freunde. Über Freundschaft, Liebe, Schmerz und Verrat.
Bittersüß und zum verzweifeln traurig.
Bittersüß und zum verzweifeln traurig.
September 3, 2021
Совсем не обязательная, но симпатичная книжуля, размышляющая - можно ли в запутанном клубке человеков усидеть на двух стульях, чтобы сохранить и дружбу, и любовные отношения, и семью без потери большей половины нервных клеток, а то и жизни. Ответ - конечно же нет.
P.S. между прочим, это та самая Пола Хокинс ("Девушка в поезде"), которая премило скрывается под другим именем.
P.S. между прочим, это та самая Пола Хокинс ("Девушка в поезде"), которая премило скрывается под другим именем.
February 7, 2021
A beautifully written story about a group of friends, can't say anymore without spoiling it. Enjoyed reading this, although it did take me a little while to get into. I was a bit wary of reading this, as I didn't like Girl on a Train, so glad I gave it a try.
December 13, 2017
2,5-3 Stars
May 20, 2018
Ich fand dieses Buch wirklich gut. Es hat gezeigt, wie wichtig Freundschaft ist. Nur das Ende fand ich etwas zu hastig und übertrieben ...
March 31, 2019
I enjoyed this book but I wanted it to finish about 100 pages before it did. Totally different sort of story than her writing as Paula Hawkins.
January 31, 2022
5+++
Jen, Andrew, Lilah, Natalie, Dan and Zack will forever be in my heart.
Jen, Andrew, Lilah, Natalie, Dan and Zack will forever be in my heart.
April 17, 2023
Reminiscent of the movie, "The Big Chill" but a younger friendship group and the book does great character development.
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